The mission of this festival is to strengthen, enrich and connect this diverse community of women/womyn, and provide an outlet for their art. We intend to build bridges among audiences, filmmakers and the community at large through the exhibition of Lesbian produced films and other events planned throughout the weekend.

Awards & Prizes

JURIED:
"Lily Tomlin Award" (Best of Fest)

"Best Short Film"

"Best Documentary"

AND....Daily "Audience Choice" Awards!

Rules & Terms

We are accepting all genres of films created by Lesbian filmmakers.

Films must be submitted for review in the following format:
- DVD or BLU-RAY (Regions 0 or 1)
- .MPG (MPEG or MPEG2)
- .MOV (QuickTime)

If accepted films must be submitted in the following format for exhibition:
- .MPG (MPET or MPEG2)
- .MOV (QuickTime)

Submission must have Film Title, Running Time & Contact Info printed on it.

Upon submission of your film, you must also submit:

1) An EPK or digital press kit, which includes a synopsis of the film, a film poster image or photo to represent the film (for our marketing/promotions), and a photo of the lesbian filmmaker(s) and filmmaker BIO (which may be used in our marketing/promotions).

2) A declaration of any film screening fees required by you (or anyone representing the film).

3) Your intention of attending the upcoming Cinema Systers Film Festival in Paducah, Kentucky, USA, and your willingness to take part in our "Artist Meets Audience" Filmmaker Q & A during the festival weekend (no fees or payment will be paid to you for participating in this Q & A).

Films submitted in any language other than English must be subtitled.

All films submitted to Cinema Systers Film Festival are required to have been produced by Lesbian filmmaker(s). Any film that does not meet this requirement will be disqualified.

Cinema Systers Film Festival is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes.

The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations.

The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless Cinema Systers Film Festival from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.

5 Reviews

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Sierra Schepmann

Didn't get to attend, but the festival sounded like the best weekend ever. Great, sweet organizers and a good lineup of films and activities. :)

Response from festival:

Thank you, Sierra!
We had a great time, and your film, "Only One", was so well received!

We missed having you here in Kentucky for Cinema Systers 2017. Hope you will submit more of your films, and can make it to Paducah for the festival one day.

Resin Rebel

Liss Platt

This was an amazing festival with wonderful screenings, smart and engaging panels, and a welcoming lesbian-centric vibe. I feel fortunate I was able to show my feature documentary here, and the feedback I received from audience members was amazing (people really came up to me to discuss my film and how they related to it!). This festival is a unique opportunity to meet a range of creative lesbians - my partner and I plan to attend every year!

Response from festival:

Thanks, Liss Platt, for your kind and encouraging review! And thank you for being a brave, honest, talented filmmaker....and for sharing your talent and your award winning film with all of us. We look forward to seeing your next film....and seeing your faces in May in Kentucky!

Lisa Plourde

Lesbian filmmakers - put this festival at the top of your list and if you are accepted make sure you attend! It is an extremely well run festival and we could not have asked for more. We really appreciated the warm and open atmosphere. In addition to the films, the parties and panels were interesting and lots of fun. The facilities where the events were held were great. It is a great festival to interact with other filmmakers and the audience.

B. Danielle Watkins

This festival is a film makers dream! A family environment from participating filmmakers, hosts, and attendees alike. Quality films, quality entertainment, as well as quality care taken of the presentation of the overall product. Very impressed and praying to be a fixture in the growth of the Cinema Systers. I say JOB WELL DONE.

Response from festival:

Wow, thank you, B. D. Watkins, for your kind words, your support and encouragement, and especially your talent and willingness to share it with all of us! I look forward to spending time with you again in May at the Memorial Day weekend version of Cinema Systers Film Festival 2017! Blessings, my Syster.

Tina Brand

I wasn't able to make it to Paducah, but got very positive feedback from another filmmaker that the audience enjoyed my film. It was an honor to have my film selected and screened in the company of a diverse lineup reflecting the diversity of Lesbian filmmakers around the world. The festival's very existence is inspiring. 5 stars for courage and great press! See http://wkms.org/post/paducahs-maiden-alley-hosts-inaugural-cinema-systers-all-lesbian-film-festival

Response from festival:

Tina Brand, your film, "Into the Ovoid: An Ovella" was so very creative! It was a pleasure and honor to screen it at our inaugural Cinema Systers Film Festival! Thank you for the submission and I hope you can make it to our second film festival on Memorial Day Weekend, May 26-28, 2017 in Paducah Kentucky. Your artwork is extraordinary!